Android wanting to format external hardrive

[wy2k]

Hi,

So when I plug an external hard drive into my phone via a usb-A to usb-c cable my phone wants to format it,( deleting any existing data) so it can use it I guess.
However I want to be able to use it to backup my phone and laptop.
How do I set the phone/laptop up so either want to format the hardrive and wipe the data on it from my laptop or vice versa?
Thankyou

 

[JayCee]

Why not just backup your phone to your laptop and then backup the laptop to the HDD?

 

[wy2k]

Is there an easy way to do that? The only way I've managed it so far is via using my phone/laptop's Bluetooth but then it turns into a slow process once I start backing up video or other big files.

update: I suppose using a USB cable borrowed from my external HDD would work, just how easy is it to find all the files you want to back up?

 

[JayCee]

All mobile phones give you the option to backup using a cable.
The type of cable depends on the type of socket fitted to your phone.
Report back with the type of phone you have (brand and model) and I'm sure someone here on the forum can tell you how to do a backup.